From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics

The Carnegie Mellon University women's volleyball team, ranked 22nd nationally, opened play Friday evening at the 2015 Days Inn Blue Jay Classic hosted by Elizabethtown College.  The Tartans split a pair of games dropping their first of the year to start the classic to No. 15 Eastern University 3-0 before rebounding to defeat the host Blue Jays 3-2.  The Tartans are now 12-1 on the season.

Junior Jackie Gibbons (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) once again led the Tartans offense as she picked up 10 kills in the setback to Eastern while freshman outside hitter Lauren Mueller(Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown SIEM Academy) collected nine. Junior setter Emily Newton(Manhattan Beach, Calif./Chadwick School) totaled 27 assists.

At the net the Tartans recorded 12 block assists with Gibbons, sophomore Eliza Donohue(Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) and freshman Sarah Jurgens (Eagan, Minn.) each tallying three.  Junior Molly Higgins (Vero Beach, Fla.) totaled 20 digs while Newton had 12 and freshman Sydney Bauer(Allen, Texas) had 10.  

In the thrilling nightcap against Elizabethtown, the Tartans pulled out the five set victory wining 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 25-27, 16-14.  Carnegie Mellon trailed 10-5 and then was faced with match point in set five before coming back in winning the fifth 16-14 for its 12th victory of the season.

Four Tartans collected double-digit kills with Gibbons and Jurgens leading the way with 14 each.  Mueller had 11 kills and Donohue had 10.  Newton tied a season-high with 46 assists.

The Tartans dominate the net tabbing 28 block assists.  Donohue accounted for a career-best nine while Jurgens and Gibbons each had a season-best with six and five, respectively.